The Indian government will release a consultation paper on artificial intelligence regulations within a month, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday, with AI safety, deepfakes and a human-first approach expected to be among its key focus areas.
Speaking at an event marking the release of the World Development Report, Vaishnaw said the paper would form the base for India's AI regulations. "The time has come for AI regulations," he said, adding that he would ask the department to come out with a regulation-focused consultation paper. "That's the most important point: safety related to AI use."
Deepfakes a key concern
The minister described deepfakes as a "nuisance which can cause huge problems in society", warning that their quality is improving every day. "People believe them, and it sets a totally wrong precedent. It sets a totally wrong narrative, and people get lured into doing wrong things and believing wrong things," he said. The consultation will also examine other harms linked to AI, including its psychological impact on users.
Vaishnaw stressed that the human impact of AI must remain at the centre of the regulatory approach. "Humanity has to be the most important part of change that has happened," he said, adding that the paper would cover skilling and a commitment to ensure no one is left behind as AI-led changes accelerate.
Techno-legal approach
The minister said AI cannot be governed through legislation alone and called for a combination of technology and regulation. "We have to bring a techno-legal solution," he said, adding that stakeholders would need to be brought on board. He also made it clear that industry must shoulder the bulk of the responsibility, listing cybersecurity, safety, user harm, psychological disorders and deepfakes among the issues it must address.
The move builds on the government's India AI Governance Guidelines released earlier this year, which outlined a principle-based approach centred on trust, people-first governance and responsible AI innovation.
Sources: Economic Times | Business Today | The Hawk
Speaking at an event marking the release of the World Development Report, Vaishnaw said the paper would form the base for India's AI regulations. "The time has come for AI regulations," he said, adding that he would ask the department to come out with a regulation-focused consultation paper. "That's the most important point: safety related to AI use."
Deepfakes a key concern
The minister described deepfakes as a "nuisance which can cause huge problems in society", warning that their quality is improving every day. "People believe them, and it sets a totally wrong precedent. It sets a totally wrong narrative, and people get lured into doing wrong things and believing wrong things," he said. The consultation will also examine other harms linked to AI, including its psychological impact on users.
Vaishnaw stressed that the human impact of AI must remain at the centre of the regulatory approach. "Humanity has to be the most important part of change that has happened," he said, adding that the paper would cover skilling and a commitment to ensure no one is left behind as AI-led changes accelerate.
Techno-legal approach
The minister said AI cannot be governed through legislation alone and called for a combination of technology and regulation. "We have to bring a techno-legal solution," he said, adding that stakeholders would need to be brought on board. He also made it clear that industry must shoulder the bulk of the responsibility, listing cybersecurity, safety, user harm, psychological disorders and deepfakes among the issues it must address.
The move builds on the government's India AI Governance Guidelines released earlier this year, which outlined a principle-based approach centred on trust, people-first governance and responsible AI innovation.
Sources: Economic Times | Business Today | The Hawk